Share This Story!

Border issues bring out Sen. Heinrich

In light of recent safety concerns in the boot heel region of New Mexico, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) toured the area with local U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents inspecting safety concerns.

Border issues bring out Sen. Heinrich

Sen. Heinrich tours boot heel region in rural outreach

U.S. Border Patrol agent Jose Gardea and U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) look over an area of the boot heel region in Hidalgo County suspected of a high volume of illegal activity. The Senator toured the border region in southwestern New Mexico on Sunday.(Photo: Courtesy photo)

DEMING — In light of recent safety concerns in the boot heel region of New Mexico, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-NM, toured the area with U.S. Border Patrol agents to inspect safety measures in place. Heinrich also talked with local ranchers about their safety concerns in the rugged border region of Hidalgo County.

Hidalgo County in recent months has seen a rise in burglaries and other illegal activities. Resident worry the problems are a result of illegal immigration and drug smuggling from Mexico.

“Making sure that people who live in southern Hidalgo County feel more secure in their homes, that’s really key to having the kind of environment we want there,” Heinrich said.

Heinrich’s constituents in the area have growing concerns that violence will increase, further affecting their day-to-day lives, and are looking to the U.S. Border Patrol for the safety.

Border Patrol agents in Hidalgo County expressed their needs for more horseback patrols along the border, as well as the need for incentive programs to keep agents and their families in the area. Intense heat and harsh working conditions in the southwestern corner of New Mexico make it difficult to retain officers, affecting safety.

“The local residents are a huge part of the eyes and hears of that country,” said Heinrich. “And maintaining a good relationship with agents who have been there and been able to work for multiple years, that’s an important part of the solution.”

In 2014, Heinrich cosponsored an amendment for an increase of drug interdiction funding by $122 million, in hopes of providing for a more secure border region. Amid rumors of violence resurging in Mexico, the Border Patrol looks to heighten its efforts along the border by adding more horse patrols to cover the more rugged terrain of the borderland.

During his visit, Heinrich’s tour took him across the southwestern portion of the state, through some of the rough terrain where smugglers are giving U.S. Border Patrol the most issues. Though no ports of entry were on the itinerary, Heinrich understands the need to fund and support both the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents, as well as Border Patrol agents in the field.

“I think its very important for people to realize, that for us to effectively have a more secure border, we need to invest in both the Border Patrol agents and also the CBP officers who work those ports of entry,” said Heinrich. “Having a well-resourced Border Patrol is key, but we can never forget our officers who work at those ports of entry, they need to be just as well-resourced.”

The senator’s visit was part of a two-day tour to collect issues and begin developing solutions to the issues many are facing on the border.